An international gang who targeted Scotland's top wine merchant stole more than £34,000 worth of alcohol during a late night break-in.
Several masked men were seen raiding Luvians Bottle Shop in St Andrews before dragging heavy bags of upmarket wines and spirits to their getaway van.
Police eventually traced the van to an address in Luton, more than 430 miles away, and found one of the thieves inside the flat with part of the haul.
Today at Dundee Sheriff Court, Romanian national Andrei-Gregore Zaboloteanu, 33, was locked up after he admitted being part of the gang.
Zaboloteanu, from Luton, admitted acting with others to break into Luvians Bottle Shop in St Andrews and stealing alcohol worth £34,080.96 on 24 May last year.
Fiscal depute Stewart Duncan told the court: "The store specialises in high quality whiskies, wines and spirits.
"It has won numerous awards for customer service and is highly regarded in the trade."
He said the store manager locked up after close of business on Saturday 23 May, but when he returned the next morning he found the door ajar and realised there had been a break-in.
Mr Duncan said: "He entered, and on doing so, he noticed the alarm was not beeping, which it always did. He carried out a search and noticed numerous shelves were empty of alcohol.
"He found that the alarm had been ripped from the wall and was lying on the shop floor. He contacted the owners to make them aware and contacted the police.
"CCTV showed the accused parking the van outside the entrance of the store, before another male comes out the passenger door to assist with the reverse parking
"The accused then gets out the driver's side of the van to assist with opening the rear door.
"The passenger removed bags from the rear before being joined by four persons in face coverings.
"When they came back out of the shop they were carrying and dragging large bags containing the stolen alcohol. They were loaded into the rear and the accused drives the van away, while the remaining persons run off, off camera."
A major police investigation eventually led to Zaboloteanu's home and a warrant was issued which led to an early morning raid by eight officers on 11 June last year.
"The Mercedes van was parked outside," Mr Duncan told the court, "and the accused and another person were traced within. Items from Luvians were found within and later identified."
Just £836.99 of the stolen haul was recovered and when Zaboloteanu was quizzed by officers he denied involvement and said: "No, it's not true."
Solicitor James Mulgrew, defending, said his client had become a father two months ago but was aware he faced "a real risk of custody."
Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC deferred sentence for reports and remanded the accused in custody.
She said: "You broke into commercial premises and stole £34,000 worth of alcohol.
"It's a serious offence and it is one that I have no doubt in my mind justifies you being sent to jail for a significant period."
Luvians Bottle Shop was recently named the best independent wine shop in Scotland for the second year in a row and third best store in the UK.
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